The Last Mile

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The Last Mile

• Bridging the Gap
• By
• KS4JU

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What is the Last Mile ?

• The last mile is the path across an area where
  conventional communications have been disrupted
  or overloaded by an incident.

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Why Digital Radio?

• More Robust
• Can work better in noisy RF environments
• Built in filtering or data redundancy improve
  communications
• Can be more efficient with less power and smaller
  antennas.
• Greater Connectivity
• Some modes can be linked over the Internet to
  reach more potential users
• Communicate More Efficiently
• Greater bandwidth capability for more information
• Potential for sending documents, photos and
  other attachments.
• Provides more accurate communications

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Digital Radio Tools

• PSK31
• HF
• APRS
• VHF
• HF
• Internet
• Echolink
• VHF
• Internet
• Winlink
• HF
• VHF
• Internet

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Radio

• HF or VHF Radio
• Most radios will work
• Computer control interface can be useful, but not
  necessary
• Compact low power capable radios can be used for
  field work or ran more efficiently on emergency
  power supplies.

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Computer

• Most digital amateur radio software have very
  modest computer hardware requirements
• Laptops are more useful in emergency operations.
• Portable
• Self contained power supply
• Low power requirements for emergency power.
• Be sure to look into battery efficient laptops
  for emergency use

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Computer / Radio Interface

• Interface needs to be made between the computer
  sound card and radio for PSK31, APRS (AGW packet
  engine), Winlink (AGW Packet Engine), and
  Echolink server.
• Sound card out to Radio mike input
• Sound card input to Radio speaker / headphone
  output
• Computer serial or usb port to Radio PTT
• Interfaces can be made or purchased
• Vendors
• Rigblaster - West Mountain Radio
  www.westmountainradio.com
• MFJ www.mfjenterprises.com
• Saratoga Amateur Radio Parts - www.saratogaham.com
  /ezpsk/

• Note
• APRS can be used with a standalone 9600 baud
  hardware TNC
• Winlink HF requires a dedicated Pactor 3 modem.

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Software

• Usually low cost or free

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PSK-31

• Advantages
• Very easy to deploy in an emergency
• Modest equipment requirements
• Laptop, Radio Interface, HF Transceiver, Antenna,
  and Power Supply
• This can include a low power HF transceiver,
  portable power supply, and portable antenna.
• Very Robust
• Can provide long range communications using HF in
  noisy conditions.
• Can provide keyboard contact over long distances
  as well as short bulletins.
• Does not rely on other technologies to work.
• Possibly the best (only choice) during a
  widespread communications outage.
• Disadvantages
• Transfer of information slow (low bandwidth)
• Can be affected by HF conditions (Propagation)
• Not as useful for local or short-range
  communications
• No redundancy
• Limited connectivity

Official PSk-31 Website http//aintel.bi.ehu.es/ps
k31.html
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PSK-31 Frequencies

• PSK-31 activity is concentrated around the
  following frequencies
• 1.83815 MHz
• 3.580
• 7.035 MHz
• 14.07 MHz (Most Popular)
• 18.100 MHz
• 21.070 MHz
• 24.920 MHz
• 28.120 MHz
• 50.290 MHz

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PSK-31 Basics

• PSK-31 uses Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK)
• The keying rate is 31.25 bits/sec
• The effective speed for plain English text is
  approximately 50 words/minute

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PSK-63

• PSK-63 offers
• 100 wpm character transmission speed for contest
  exchanges and  macro transmission versus RTTY at
  60 wpm
• Only 1/5 the bandwidth of RTTY - capable of
  displaying 25 signals simultaneously on a
  waterfall or spectrum display
• Fast, easy, point-and-click tuning using the
  mouse or keyboard arrowkey tuning
• Capable of color thumbnail portrait transmission
  in less than 2 minutes
• Faster sync recovery than RTTY, resulting in
  fewer errors
• Requires much less power than RTTY for the same
  communications performance
• Identical to PSK31 except for a wider bandwidth
  of 63 Hz
• Improved polar path performance compared to PSK31
  
• Works with any soundcard-equipped Windows
  computer and SSB transceiver
• Initial testing on 20 meters between 14072.5 and
  14080.0 KHz
• Lots of software for PSK63 is available now!

PSK 63 Resource Page www.qsl.net/kh6ty/psk63
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PSK-31 Performance

• Real World Performance
• The power in a PSK-31 signal is concentrated in a
  31 Hz bandwidth, versus 250 Hz for RTTY and 3300
  Hz for SSB the PSK-31 signal is brighter (3.2
  W/Hz vs 30 mW/Hz for SSB)
• If a 100 W PEP ( 11 15 W rms) signal provides
  a 20 dB S/N ratio at the receiver using SSB, the
  same S/N ratio is achieved with 8W using RTTY and
  only 1W using PSK-31!
• Transcontinental QSOs using PSK-31 are possible
  using less than 50 W under any conditions and
  when conditions are good, QRP (lt 5W) PSK-31
  contacts are possible to any point on the planet.
• Unlike AMTOR, PACTOR, and packet, PSK-31 supports
  net operation (no handshaking required between
  stations)

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Bandwidth Utilization

• Waterfall display on the left shows several RTTY
  signals
• Waterfall display on the right shows several
  PSK-31 signals
• For the nearly the same character rate ( 50 wpm)
  PSK uses 1/5 the bandwidth
• A 3 kHz SSB channel can support 10 or more PSK
  QSOs

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Tuning in a PSK-31 signal

• Turn on the equipment
• Run the PSK software
• Select the waterfall display mode
• Use the mouse to place the cursor on a signal
• Adjust the squelch until text appears in receive
  window

Receive Window
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Recommended Software for PSK

• Ham Radio Deluxe
• hrd.ham-radio.ch

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APRS

• Advantages
• Modest Equipment Requirements VHF Radio,
  Computer, Interface or TNC, and Software
• Can be used for
• Map based asset management.
• Tracking people or objects.
• Weather reporting
• Short messages
• Large radio based network with internet
  connectivity
• Can be deployed quickly and portable / mobile
• Still heavily used
• Disadvantages
• Need to be in range of an APRS node to
  participate in the network or internet
  connectivity.
• Not a strong VHF network in the Athens Area

APRS Wiki info.aprs.net/wikka.php?wakkaAPRS
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APRS Frequencies

• USA National Frequency 144.39 MHz
• Low Powered Trackers 144.99 MHz
• Satellites
• ISS 145.990- MHz UP 145.800 MHz- Down 1200
  Baud AFSK
• PCSAT-2 145.825- MHz UP 435.275 MHz- Down
  1200 Baud AFSK
• PCSAT-1 145.825MHz UP 145.825 MHz Down - 1200
  Baud AFSK
• AO-51 145.860- MHz UP 435.150 MHz Down 9600
  Baud FSK
• Web Access
• www.findu.com
• Open APRS
• Based on Google Maps www.openaprs.net/

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RecommendedAPRS Software

• AGW Packet Engine Pro
• Replaces the need for a hardware TNC
• Requires PC with Soundcard
• 50 License
• Supports many TNC based Applications
• AGW Tracker APRS Software
• Very sophisticated mapping features using online
  maps
• Very good weather displays
• Supports standalone Kenwood APRS radios
• Only program that is currently being updated

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Athens APRS Activity 8/30/06
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Coverage
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Messages
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Weather Data
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Tracking
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Satellite
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Hurricane Tracking
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Emergency Planning
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Echo LinkVOIP / Protocol

• Advantages
• Can only require a computer, microphone, and
  Internet Connection
• Allows monitoring or communicating on VHF
  repeaters world wide
• Can be used to access distant repeaters for
  message handling during emergencies
• Can be used to extend the range of local
  repeaters
• Conferencing supported
• Mobile transmitters can access remote repeaters
  via DTMF codes
• Transmit automated messages with 3rd party
  software
• Easy to use
• Must validate Amateur Radio license before using
• Disadvantages
• Requires a live internet connection or a VHF
  vocie link to a radio connected to an Echo link
  server with a working internet connection.

Echolink www.echolink.org
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PC as a Base Station
Home PC
VHF Repeater (Anywhere in the World)
Internet
VHF Radio
Base Microphone
Echolink Sysop Server
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Mobile Link
Echolink / PC
VHF Repeater (Anywhere in the World)
Internet
VHF Radio
Mobile
Echolink Sysop Server
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Echolink Overview
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Advanced Controllers

• Advanced controllers allow
• Shutting down or rebooting the computer remotely
• Remote access to controller functions from a
  mobile radio
• Time out timer to unlatch PTT in case program
  hangs up
• More suited for Echolink Sysop mode.
• Priced from 75 to 135 (will work with other
  modes discussed here)
• From VA3TO www.ilinkca.com and iLinkboards
  www.ilinkboards.com

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SoftwareMain Page
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Echolink Status09/31/06
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Echolink Connect Screen
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www.voipwx.net
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WXTALKNode 7203
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Winlink

• Advantages
• Modest equipment requirements for VHF access
  VHF radio, computer, interface, MS Outlook
  Express, AGW Packet Engine, and Paclink Post
  Office
• Based on SMTP E-mail
• Most emergency agencies rely on email for
  information transfer
• Can send attachments for photos and documents
• Redundant network utilizing radio and internet
  connectivity
• Was proven very effective for Last Mile
  Communications in the hurricane Katrina
  aftermath
• Disadvantages
• HF links can be costly because of the requirement
  for a proprietary Pactor 3 modem
• VHF access is fairly limited in Athens area
  (however, it would be easy to set up a local
  Telpac station)
• Can be more complex to set up

Winlink - www.winlink.org
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Why Winlink

• Our traditional methods fail for complex message
  handling in todays agency environment!
• Need for delivering written procedures, lists,
  graphics, images, and Pre-defined, formatted,
  documents to multiple recipients!
• Multiple recipient e-mail with binary attachments
  is the de facto standard to carry written
  information.
• Hand-written message forms are seldom used, and
  are not transparent to normal operations!
• For complex messages, voice, Morse code,
  Radiograms, and traditional Packet radio wont
  do
• way too slow, translation required, inflexible,
  prone to error, no permanent record, not
  self-originating, not point-to-multipoint.
• doesnt go end-to-end from user-to-user on their
  own computers in their own offices no
  attachments and no automatic distribution..

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E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO using Winlink 2000
This is a Winlink 2000 PACLINK station.
A typical ham radio last mile e-mail station is
composed of simple components, even for an Agency
with multiple computers.
A VHF or UHF Radio and a Good Antenna
A D-Star or Packet Radio Modem (TNC.)

• Laptop for a Portable Station. Desktop for an
  agency.
• Paclink AGW Paclink Postoffice mini e-mail
  server software with
• AGW Packet Engine Pro and
• Outlook Express or Outlook
• Win2000 or WinXP

Laptop Computer
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E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO
To send or receive e-mail, this station makes a
connection with a Winlink radio node or PMBO.
Computer
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E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO
For the last mile, use VHF radios and the
Packet mode as a pathway to carry e-mail.
Computer
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E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO
For longer distances or in difficult terrain,
most PMBOs are outfitted with multi-band HF
radios and the Pactor II III modes to serve
stations with no other e-mail outlet.
Airmail client Program
Users on HF have a special e-mail program called
Airmail.
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E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO
The PMBO is connected to the internet at all
times.
Computer
The Internet
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E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO
PMBOs may have remote gateways called TELPAC
stations. They are connected to the PMBO via any
TCP/IP link and duplicate its VHF radio port in
another location.
TELPAC stations may communicate to the PMBO via
any TCP/IP link, including ICOMs D-Star or
WiFi 802-11b.
Computer
802-11b
The Internet
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E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO
Other computers, or CMBOs, organize and manage
the network traffic.
CMBOs are transparent to users. They are
redundant, and you never know they are there.
Computer
The Internet
CMBO
CMBO
CMBO
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E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO
You can send radio e-mail directly to internet
e-mail users.
Computer
The Internet
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E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO
And you can send radio e-mail to other Paclink or
Airmail stations like yours.
The Internet
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E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO
Adding a LAN on the PACLINK computer permits
individuals to send and receive radio e-mail.
PACLINK is now an e-mail server.
PACLINK may be placed in the DMZ zone in front
of the firewall.
The Internet
Served Agency LAN
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E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO
The PMBO forwards radio e-mail between its radio
users, even if its internet connection is gone.
Computer
The Internet
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E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO
If the local PMBO has an outage, you can make a
connection with a local TELPAC station which will
automatically shift to a distant host PMBO with
connectivity. Or
The Internet
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E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO
Or you can traverse the packet network using
nodes to get to a connected TELPAC or PMBO. Or
The Internet
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E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO
Or you can use an HF station to get to a distant
connected PMBO using Airmail.
The Internet
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E-MAIL VIA HAM RADIO
Besides radio channels, PACLINK stations also may
have telnet channels to the internet. This is
handy for fixed stations because it is fast.
PACLINK stations automatically switch between
preset radio destinations and telnet channels to
find a connection to a PMBO.
My E-mail server is down
The Internet
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PMBO Locations
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US Telpac Nodes
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Nearby Telpac Stations Overview
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Nearby Telpac Stations Detail
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Devise a Plan!

• Insure that there is no duplication of efforts in
  your last mile coverage area.
• Set up an strategy for implementation with your
  local ARRL ARES or RACES organization. Set up a
  time-line for each task.
• Coordinate efforts with the Winlink 2000
  Development Team, ECs,SECs,DECs/SM, etc.
• Ask other ARES communities for assistance.
• Set up personnel responsibilities with
  Time-lines!
• Handle the finances. How much will it actually
  cost? Who should pay?
• Involve and commit the end-user. They are the
  ones to benefit!
• Implement the plan in stages.
• Test it, and Test it again.
• Provide a presentation and demo for your served
  agencies.
• Continue to promote your capabilities.

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Questions?